A/N: I got a job! Hehe. So, I might be a tad bit busy from now on, but I'm still going to write this like a fiend. Because, just so you know, this story is addicting to write.

Thanks to all who've reviewed/fav'd/alerted. It means a lot to me.

Disclaimer: Ah, no. I highly doubt that I own anything, besides my laptop.

Light's eyes closed as he let out a rather content sigh. He knew it was wrong to feel pleased over such circumstances, but he felt as though he had to. After two months of reading and re-reading and examining each death continuously- it was a nice break to now have a solid lead.

Five minutes had passed since he had pointed out to the lanky detective (who, he had noticed, had been sulking in his chair) several questionable deaths that seemed to benefit a certain company.

Looking around, he noticed that life had filled the room that had been so dead just moments ago. Ryuuzaki was dishing out orders left-and-right, while Mogi and Light's father obeyed and completed the tasks at hand.

Matsuda, of course, was getting the coffee.

"Here you go, Ryuuzaki-san!" He placed the steaming mug in front of the detective, along with the detective's infamous jar of sugar.

"Thank you, Matsuda."

"No problem!" The man scratched the back of his head, and stood about in an awkward air, before skittering off beside Mogi.

Light suppressed the urge to roll his eyes at the man who could only be as useful as an ingrown hair at any given time. How he had become a detective, Light would never know.

Beside him, though, another male was dealing with a slightly more important annoyance. L knew that he was supposed to be catching the lead on the Yotsuba Company, but he had already deduced that they would pull out nothing—making the effort nothing but a waste of time. Besides, he'd already e-mail and contacted the necessary tools to move forward.

So he decided to check in on an old friend: Beyond. The mere thought of the man caused the dull-eyed detective to bit through the skin of his thumb. It had been nearly a month since the elusive murder had struck.

This, in and of itself, was enough to propel the detective into a deep state of paranoia. Beyond was surely plotting: figuring out a means to get to L himself. That didn't frighten the detective in the least—every villain he'd captured had attempted to get to him.

No, L was frightened due to one lone fact:

He knew Beyond Birthday could get him.

Beyond almost moaned with relief when the scenery became much more familiar to him.

Of course he would remember this place: it was where he spent a majority of his childhood. It was the place that had molded and morphed him into what he was today. And, on a smaller, more obscure note: it was the place of his first ever murder.

He was in Winchester, England.

The cab rolled to a stop before a small café, before the cabbie turned to the man and held out an expected hand. Beyond held back a scoff as he carelessly threw the correct change at the man—who thanked him with a scowl and sped off.

B breathed in the fresh, crisp air. Yes, he smiled, Winchester was a lot better than Los Angeles. Probably healthier, as well. He then shook his head: No, this place is unhealthy. This was the place that needed to be purged and cleansed, not bright and sunny L.A.

He didn't know whether or not to be disgusted or elated at his conclusion; so he decided on neither. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, and adjusting the bag on his back, he headed towards one sole destination.

With every step he took, anticipation bubbled within his gut. His entire body soon erupted in a fitful shake as his eyes rested on his target. Speed increasing slightly, he made the final stretch in a matter of moments.

He stood before the gates with a large smile—every tooth sparkling in the afternoon sun. Fingers itched with adrenaline as he made his way over the gates and onto the cement walkway below. Beads of sweat rolled down his ivory skin as he made his way toward the building, before veering off onto the lawn and making his way to a particular location.

Slowly—in an almost agonizing pace—he scanned the room before him. A blond child (A girl? No, no, that's a boy) was tossing rather vulgar remarks to an older-looking fellow; a rather irked look marred his face as his voice rose in decibels.

"Roger, I swear to God that-" His voice died, though, as he noticed a figure climbing into the window behind the old man. "Uh.. Roger?"

In a rather exasperated tone, Roger indulged in the question. "Yes, Mello?"

"There's someone coming in through the-" Again, the boy's sentence died, but only to be replaced with a girly squeal. "L?! Holy shit, is that you?!" the boy's cerulean eyes lit up with pure adoration, and a large grin replaced his scowling features.

Roger, though, was only perplexed by the boy's outburst. Surely, if L were here, he would not be climbing though a window (or so he hoped). "Mello.." He swiveled in his chair to the suspected window, before killing his question completely when he looked into blood-colored irises.

The man took a deep gasp, and turned to the blond present in the room. "Mello, leave." The man's voice took a rather authoritative tone, so the rebellious child gave a curt nod and padded out of the room in a haste.

"Oh, Roger," B laughed, patting the elder's head. "you didn't have to go and do that. I say, you rather creeped the poor boy out."

"Quiet, B." The man's voice was trembling, B noted. It delighted him how he could make so many quiver before him. An unbecoming smirk graced his features.

"Roger that."

"What do you want?"

Beyond chuckled, before feigning a rather affronted look. "Must you be so blunt, Roger? What if I just wanted to take a trip through memory lane."

The man's eyes narrowed, knowing full well that the boy was lying. At that, B sighed. "Fine, fine. I was just looking for someone."

"He's not here," Roger said, waving a hand about. "Now, leave."

"Are you sure?" Beyond's head tilted to the right, and he brought his thumb to his lips. "I mean, I just want to see him."

"You know he's not here, Backup."

B flinched at the nickname, his eyes darkening, before regaining the innocent front. "Oh, okay. I was just checking." He headed toward the window. "I'll see you, then." He waved at the man, before disappearing into the bushed. Roger rubbed at his brow, his entire body collapsing.

"That boy.." He closed his eyes as his head rested on the cherry wood desk below him. It was necessary t contact Watari at once, he realized, but he felt as though it would be wise to gather up his nerves.

Until, but two minutes later, shrieks and shouts rang throughout the orphanage.

Roger shot up from his desk, making a leap toward the door. As he swung it open, he was greeted by the stale stench of smoke. Something was burning.

He ran toward the main door, and indeed, the house was aflame. Black smoke was harsh against his lungs as he directed the fearful children toward the back exit. Luckily, he was able to usher a good lot of the children out before the door itself caught flame.

The rest of the occupants were ushered throughout the window, before Roger himself lunged out: panting and sweating as he collapsed on the grass.

That was, until, a rather uncharacteristically nervous Matt came rushing up to him—virtually sobbing.

L noticed, out of the corner of his eye, that his newest guests had just arrived. Lucky for him, though, was the fact that no one else in the room had. Though, whether or not that was a good thing, he had yet to decide.

He called them Aiber and Wedy, and they were the best he could get. An over-competent scam artist, and the world's most efficient thief is what they were. It was a test: to infiltrate the building without gaining suspicion. Of course, they had passed—Wedy bugging the alarms and re-routing the cameras as they snuck in. L wanted to smile.

Of course, it amused him to no end when the rest of the team finally did notice the duo—in voices ranging from incredulity to utter bemusement.

Then again, he had already known that officers of the law were not going to automatically accept the idea of working with professional criminals, but that was a risk he was willing to take. What he did find amusing, though, were the expressions that one Soichiro Yagami wore throughout the entire ordeal. If only L had a camera..

Aiber and Wedy were being escorted by Watari to their private rooms; the latter chirping with joy over the idea of a clean, unused room. L couldn't help but roll his eyes at the woman.

He turned his chair in the other direction, only to be greeted with the face of Light Yagami. Said teenager looked rather cross at the detective, who only put it off as the teen being miffed at the idea of working with criminals.

And, he was, much to L's chagrin.

"You know, for a man who believes in justice, you seem to enjoy manipulating it to your own ideals." Light's arms crossed over his chest, and he raised a brow at Ryuuzaki.

Said man only graced him with his regular blank look. "Yagami-kun, I am only doing what is necessary. I mean, it is much easier to catch a criminal if you are a criminal."

"If that is what you believe." Light muttered, his facial expression not changing in the least. He was about to respond when he was disrupted by a rather emotional Watari.

"Ryuuzaki, if I could have a word," the man requested, and L could find no means of denying him the chance. He quickly removed himself from his perch; only to be pulled away rather roughly by the older man as he was dragged from the room.

Light watched the scene that played before him with a gaping mouth. He had never, never seen Watari display such raw emotion before—it was quite unnerving.

The rest of the force seemed to notice the display, for they were all gaping at the door the two had disappeared behind. Muffled voices could be heard for several moments, before the metal object was swung open by none other than the world's three greatest detectives; Ryuuzaki sliding into the room with his hair shielding his eyes.

He shuffled over to his chair without a word, typing away at his computer with a dangerous force. No one dared to speak until the spindly man spoke first. And that did not happen for several minutes.

Until: "Everyone, I have an announcement." His voice was mechanical, not a hint of any human life retained in it. The people flinched, fearful somewhat, and gave the man their already undivided attention.

"Something has come up, so I am taking leave for a matter of days," he explained, still not turning to the team. "I am leaving Yagami-kun in charge while I am gone."

"So.. I'm not going with you?" Light held up his cuffed hand with a rather confused look. The detective shook his head.

"While I am gone, you are not allowed to leave the building. Each and every surveillance camera shall remain activated, and you shall be cuffed to Mogi-san." It was only then that he moved, turning his head in the direction of aforementioned man. "Is this all right, Mogi-san?"

Without a moment of hesitation, the man nodded in the affirmative. "Of course, Ryuuzaki-san."

"Good." The man stood up, his knees cracking with the motion. "I shall be gone for approximately one week. I have left a detailed list of things to be investigated while I am at leave, and it has been e-mailed to you all."

With that, the man marched out of the door.

Oh, this was good.

B wanted to laugh at the scene unfurling before him.

He had, to his amusement, managed to burn that blond boy from before. Said child was currently residing at the local hospital, nursing a third-degree burn on his face.

That, in itself, could make Beyond squeal in delight. He had managed to unintentionally lure his precious pet back to England—sure fire. He had been reluctant to burn down Wammy's House, because he did not know if that were enough to force the raven-haired detective out of hiding. But, as he passed by the injured boy's room once more, this was fool-proof.

His precious Lawliet would soon be his.

A/N: Whew, what a chapter, no? I'm feeling pretty alright with it, how about you?

Review, please, and tell me what you think.